Economic analyses of a nuclear desalination system using deep pool reactors

The deep pool reactor(DPR) is a novel design of a pool-type reactor for sup plying heat. Some special means of reduction of investment cost and nuclear fuel cost are adopted in DPR design. The DPR plant uses simple technology and is suitable for serving as a heat source for seawater desalination. The DPR plants with small and medium power capacities coupled with LT-MED desa lination plants could provide fresh water production in the moderate range of 20,000 m(3)/d to 150,000 m(3)/d. Economic analysis indicates that this d esalination system will decrease the total specific capital investment and levelized water cost. The nuclear desalination system provides a readily av ailable and economically attractive solution for fresh water supply without contributing to increasing global pollution.